Shoe-lasting machine

ABSTRACT

A shoe-lasting machine for wiping in a shank over a last and insole, the machine including a pivotally mounted last-carrier, shears for tucking in a heel portion, and a plurality of wiping members for an shank area of an upper leather portion which includes a plurality of wiper elements mounted on an assembly carrier adapted for forward motion towards the last. The assembly is supported rotatably about its axis which substantially coincides with a trailing edge of the heel portion shears in their operating position. Contactor levers are provided which are preferably mounted on the wiper assembly carrier and which after sensing the last impart a rotary movement to the assembly carrier which helps to adapt an inclination of the wiper elements to a predetermined shank curvature of the last. The rotatably supported assembly carrier also carries a device for stretching the leather prior to the engagement of the wiping members for the shank area, the inclination of the leather-stretching device thus being also determined by the inclination of the assembly carrier itself.

United States Patent Schindler et al.

[54] SHOE-LASTING MACHINE [72] Inventors: Herbert Schindler, Pirmasens; Gerhard Winter, Havenstein, both of Germany [73] Assignee: Firma Schon & Cie Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Pirmasens, Germany 22 Filed: Nov. 23, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 91,990

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 27, 1969 Germany ..P 19 59 560.9

[52] US. Cl ..12/12 [51] Int. Cl. ..A43d 21/00 [58] Field of Search ..12/12,l0.l, 10.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,727,257 12/1955 Chandler et a1, 12/12 3,105,983 10/1963 Deschenes et a1 12/12 3,264,666 8/1966 Akerley ..12/12 151 3,685,072 5] Aug.22, 1972 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Att0rney-Friedman & Goodman 1 1 ABSTRACT A shoe-lasting machine for wiping in a shank over a last and insole, the machine including a pivotally mounted last-carrier, shears for tucking in a heel portion, and a plurality of wiping members for an shank area of an upper leather portion which includes a plurality of wiper elements mounted on an assembly carrier adapted for forward motion towards the last. The assembly is supported rotatably about its axis which substantially coincides with a trailing edge of the heel portion shears in their operating position. Contactor levers are provided which are preferably mounted on the wiper assembly carrier and which after sensing the last impart a rotary movement to the assembly carrier which helps to adapt an inclination of the wiper elements to a predetennined shank curvature of the last. The rotatably supported assembly carrier also carries a device for stretching the leather prior to the engagement of the wiping members for the shank area, the inclination of the leather-stretching device thus being also determined by the inclination of the assembly carrier itself.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED 2 3,885,072

' saw 3 or 3 l 17 Il A11 ornc va SHOE-LASTING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a shoe-lasting machine for wiping in the shank over the last and insole, and in particular to improvements in the wiping device itself.

It is a well-known fact that in machines of this type particular difficulties are encountered in the design of the wiping device within the shank area due to the presence of the shank curvature. Several devices for wiping in the upper leather in the area of the shank have become known in the art. Such devices generally consist of a combination of various wiping means designed to carry out the function of so-called shears".

To improve conformity to the existing shank curvature, it is also known to provide a plurality of wiping devices in this area. In the conventional apparatus, the position of the wiping means is either sensed from the direction of the last by means of special sensing devices or manually adjusted beforehand. A sensing arrangement of this kind requires the use of expensive additional mechanical equipment, while manual adjustment is time-wasting, particularly when rapid and frequent changes of last curvature are involved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The shoe-lasting machine based upon the present invention is characterized in that the carrier means for the wiping devices is so supported that it is rotatable around an axis which substantially coincides with the trailing edge of the heel portion shears in their engaged position.

It is assured in this way that, with the heel portion shear devices in their engaged position, the wiping devices for the shank are come to rest directly against their ends so that the upper leather will be subjected to accurate and unform pressure; in addition, the machine becomes highly flexible in operation and can be rapidly adapted to the varying conditions imposed by the changing last curvature.

The curvature is adjusted by supporting two fingers against the last body. The presetting carried out by con tactor levers is supported by equalizer springs, articulation of the shear plates and rotatable joumalling for the arms supporting the shear plates.

It is the objective of the present invention to provide a wiping device in which the wiping means for the shank area can be applied directly at the end of the shears for the heel portion so that they sit accurately and uniformly, no matter what last curvature is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further details and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a cement-lasting machine pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the carrier device of the present invention for the tools wiping the shank portion of the upper leather, the left-hand side of the carrier being shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side-view of the device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows in section the structure of the wiping device in enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of a part-arrangement of the wiping tools disposed on one side;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section through an individual wiping plate and its mounting support; and

FIG. 8 shows an individual tuck-in plate in operating position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, a last-carrier 5 is supported in the bottom part of a frame 1 by a pivot mounting (not shown in detail). The last carrier 5 is movable from its initial position, indicated by the dash-dot line 5, into its operating position shown in the figure by conventional means of a hydraulic motor 2, a spindle drive 3 and shaft 4. The last carrier 5 can be raised by way of a conventional cylinder 6 whereby it forces the last 7 against a support 8.

As seen in FIG. 3, the last 7 during its upward movement is forced against two contactor levers l8, 19. This causes a rotation of the entire shank area wiping assembly about pivot pins and 20, which are arranged at the same level as the trailing edges of the'closed shears 22. The contactor levers l8, 19 are adjustable for the purpose of adjusting the angle of traverse associated with the given last position. Adjustment is effected by means of a screw 26 seated in a pin 27 (FIG. 4). Following the pivoting movement brought about by the contactor levers 18, 19 and involving the entire shank area wiping assembly, the latter is restrained on both sides by pistons 23 and 23 which move in cylinders 24 and 24 respectively by way of levers and 25 respectively (FIG. 3). The wiping assembly for the shank area is now fixed and secured in a position which corresponds approximately to the curvature of last 7.

After the last is raised and the shank area wiping assembly is adjusted in its related position, a lever is caused to swivel in response to a force exerted by a conventional hydraulic cylinder 9 (FIG. 1), whereby a heelband 11 is stretched around the heel portion of the last 7. At the same time articulated pressure blocks l4, 14' move towards the last 7 on both sides being forced in that direction by pistons 12, 12 moving in cylinders 13 and 13 (FIG. 2). The articulated pressure blocks l4, 14' are pivotably supported in pins l5, l5 respectively and after coming into contact with the last 7 flip over into a position, as shown by pressure block 14 in FIG. 2, against a bias exerted by a helical spring 16 and 16', respectively.

When the pressure blocks 14 and 14 come into abutment against the last 7, their edges l7, 17 participate in a relative movement whereby they stretch the leather smoothly over the last 7. In this position, cement is applied by a device (not shown) before the wiping assembly for the shank portion is moved in on both sides in response to a force exerted by pistons 29 and 29, which move in cylinders 30 and 30 respectively. The two halves of the shank portion wiping assembly are actuated by cylinders 13 and 13 and are guided by pin guides and 45'. The forward travel of the two halves of the tuck-in assembly continues until the leading surface 31 (31) of a set-screw 32 (32) comes to rest against a shoulder 33 (33) of the respective cylinder 30 (30'), as shown in FIG. 3.

The tool assembly proper, which advances on both sides of the last 7 includes arms 36 on each side thereof, which are tiltably supported on associated pins 38, each of the arms 36 carries one or a plurality of rotatably supported forked pieces 39, the latter in turn carrying one or a plurality of wiping plates 28. While the pistons 29, 29 move the tool assembly towards the last 7, the pistons 35 which travel vertically in their respective cylinders 34 on both sides of the last 7, are put under a weak oil pressure whereby the arms 36 are each pivoted against the bias exerted by an associated spring 37 about a pivot point formed by the pins 38, as shown best in FIG. 5.

A plurality of arms 36 can be arranged on both sides of the device. The forked pieces 39 are first maintained in a certain initial position by two bias springs 40 (FIGS. and 6). At their outer extremities the forked pieces 39 are provided with rounded, cam-like projections 42 which serve as supports for the inner faces 43 of the tuck-in plates 28. To provide a necessary degree of freedom therefor, each of the two angled portions of the wiping plates 28 possess a keyway 44 which interacts with a pin threading the extremity of a forked piece 39 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

An unusually high degree of adaptability of the wiping plates 28 to the contours of the last 7 is ensured by the rotary motion of the entire wiping assembly about an axis formed by the two pins and 20, which axis coincides with the position of the trailing edge 21 of the wiping shears 22 in their closed position, as well as by the capability of the arms 36 to rotate about their pins 38 and that of the forked pieces 39 to rotate within their arms 36 and also thanks to the support iven to the wiping plates 28 by the rounded, cam-like projections at the tips of the forked pieces 39.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A shoe-lasting machine for wiping in a shank over a last and insole, said machine comprising a last-carrier, shears for shearing a heel portion, a plurality of wiping means for a shank area of an upper leather, said wiping means including a plurality of wiping elements mounted on an assembly carrier adapted for forward motion towards the last, means rotatably supporting said assembly carrier about its axis which substantially coincides with a trailing edge of said heel portion shears in their operating position, and contactor levers mounted on said wiping assembly carrier and which after sensing the last, said contactor levers impart a rotary movement to said assembly carrier which helps to adapt an inclination of said wiping elements to a predetermined curvature of the last.

2. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that all machine elements and assemblies are hydrauli cally actuated.

3. A shoe-lasting machine for wiping in a shank over a last and insole, said machine comprising a last-carrier, shears for shearing a heel portion, a plurality of wiping means for a shank area of an upper leather, said wiping means including a plurality of wiping elements mounted on an assembly carrier adapted for forward motion towards the last, means rotatably supporting said assembly carrier about its axis which substantially coincides with a trailing edge of said heel portion shears in their operating position, said wiping elements including plates mounted in pairs of forked pieces defining tips, said plates being supported on rounded cam-like projections provided at said tips of said forked pieces when coming into contact with a workpiece on the last.

4. A machine according to claim 3. wherein means mount said forked pieces on arms in such a way that said forked pieces are rotatable about their longitudinal axes, said arms being adapted for a movement towards the last substantially along their longitudinal axes.

5. A machine according to claim 3, wherein each of said forked pieces are maintained in a specific initial position by two bias springs.

6. A machine according to claim 3, wherein said wiping plates are anchored to said tips of said forked pieces by pins disposed in keyways provided in said plates.

7. A shoe-lasting machine for wiping in a shank over a last and insole, said machine comprising a last-carricr, shears for shearing a heel portion, a plurality of wip ing means for a shank area of an upper leather, said wiping means including a plurality of wiping elements mounted on an assembly carrier adapted for forward motion towards the last, means rotatably supporting said assembly carrier about its axis which substantially coincides with a trailing edge of said heel portion shears in their operating position, said rotatably supported assembly carrier also carrying a device for stretching leather prior to engagement of said wiping means for the shank area, an inclination of said leatherstretching device being determined by an inclination of said assembly itself.

8. A shoe-lasting machine according to claim 7, wherein longitudinal axes of hydraulic cylinders for moving said wiping means into their operating positions and longitudinal axes of cylinders for moving said leather-stretching device into its operating position are parallel to each other, pistons actuating said leatherstretching device are provided with means for preventing any torsional displacement thereof with respect to their associated cylinders.

9. A shoe-lasting machine according to claim 7, wherein said leather-stretching device engages a workpiece by means of movable pressure blocks supported tiltably about pin means, said pin means permit said pressure blocks when coming into abutment against the last to slide thereon against bias pressure exerted by spring means and thus smoothly stretch the leather.

10. A shoe-lasting machine for wiping a shank over a last and insole, the machine comprising a last-carrier, wipers for operative association with a heel portion, shank-wiping means for operative association with a shank area of an upper leather, said shank wiping means including a plurality of wiping elements, hydraulic means for moving said wiping elements toward the last, and a common bearing support upon which both said shank wiping means and associated hydraulic means are mounted, said common bearing support having an axis about which it is pivotally supported for pivotal movement in response to uplift of the last into engagement therewith, said axis substantially coinciding with a trailing edge of said shank wiping means when the latter is in a wiping position. 

1. A shoe-lasting machine for wiping in a shank over a last and insole, said machine comprising a last-carrier, shears for shearing a heel portion, a plurality of wiping means for a shank area of an upper leather, said wiping means including a plurality of wiping elements mounted on an assembly carrier adapted for forward motion towards the last, means rotatably supporting said assembly carrier about its axis which substantially coincides with a trailing edge of said heel portion shears in their operating position, and contactor levers mounted on said wiping assembly carrier and which after sensing the last, said contactor levers impart a rotary movement to said assembly carrier which helps to adapt an inclination of said wiping elements to a predetermined curvature of the last.
 2. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that all machine elements and assemblies are hydraulically actuated.
 3. A shoe-lasting machine for wiping in a shank over a last and insole, said machine comprising a last-carrier, shears for shearing a heel portion, a plurality of wiping means for a shank area of an upper leather, said wiping means including a plurality of wiping elements mounted on an assembly carrier adapted for forward motion towards the last, means rotatably supporting said assembly carrier about its axis which substantially coincides with a trailing edge of said heel portion shears in their operating position, said wiping elements including plates mounted in pairs of forked pieces defining tips, said plates being supported on rounded cam-like projections provided at said tips of said forked pieces when coming into contact with a workpiece on the last.
 4. A machine according to cLaim 3, wherein means mount said forked pieces on arms in such a way that said forked pieces are rotatable about their longitudinal axes, said arms being adapted for a movement towards the last substantially along their longitudinal axes.
 5. A machine according to claim 3, wherein each of said forked pieces are maintained in a specific initial position by two bias springs.
 6. A machine according to claim 3, wherein said wiping plates are anchored to said tips of said forked pieces by pins disposed in keyways provided in said plates.
 7. A shoe-lasting machine for wiping in a shank over a last and insole, said machine comprising a last-carrier, shears for shearing a heel portion, a plurality of wiping means for a shank area of an upper leather, said wiping means including a plurality of wiping elements mounted on an assembly carrier adapted for forward motion towards the last, means rotatably supporting said assembly carrier about its axis which substantially coincides with a trailing edge of said heel portion shears in their operating position, said rotatably supported assembly carrier also carrying a device for stretching leather prior to engagement of said wiping means for the shank area, an inclination of said leather-stretching device being determined by an inclination of said assembly itself.
 8. A shoe-lasting machine according to claim 7, wherein longitudinal axes of hydraulic cylinders for moving said wiping means into their operating positions and longitudinal axes of cylinders for moving said leather-stretching device into its operating position are parallel to each other, pistons actuating said leather-stretching device are provided with means for preventing any torsional displacement thereof with respect to their associated cylinders.
 9. A shoe-lasting machine according to claim 7, wherein said leather-stretching device engages a workpiece by means of movable pressure blocks supported tiltably about pin means, said pin means permit said pressure blocks when coming into abutment against the last to slide thereon against bias pressure exerted by spring means and thus smoothly stretch the leather.
 10. A shoe-lasting machine for wiping in a shank over a last and insole, the machine comprising a last-carrier, wipers for operative association with a heel portion, shank-wiping means for operative association with a shank area of an upper leather, said shank wiping means including a plurality of wiping elements, hydraulic means for moving said wiping elements toward the last, and a common bearing support upon which both said shank wiping means and associated hydraulic means are mounted, said common bearing support having an axis about which it is pivotally supported for pivotal movement in response to uplift of the last into engagement therewith, said axis substantially coinciding with a trailing edge of said shank wiping means when the latter is in a wiping position. 